Dear Parents, Your son will be attending Cub Country 2014 at Camp Cowles located on Diamond Lake from Friday, July 11th thru Sunday, July 13th. The theme this year is Star Force. Pack 420 has 56 scouts and adults attending, 30 Cubs/Webelos and 26 adults. We will be camping in the Sacheen Camping area like previous years. The adults in charge for the week are shown below: Adult Leader Ralph Keeney Jefferson Davis Tim Gump Robert Blegen Kevin Hall Kelly Emtman

Position Phone Email 370-0371 Cubmaster [email protected] 523-2057 Asst Cubmaster [email protected] 954-3793 Asst Cubmaster [email protected] 991-7612 Den 4 Leaders [email protected] 928-2629 2nd Year Webelos [email protected] 723-7606 Den 5 Leader [email protected] st 1 Year Webelos 891-0119 Robert Jordan Den 1 Leader [email protected] Bears 844-7382 Lynn Parish Den 2 Leader [email protected] Wolves and any Tigers 991-7612 Robert Blegen Pack Camp Coordinator [email protected] You may contact me (Robert Blegen) or any of these individuals if you have questions not answered in the information provided below. A packing list, some tips, a schedule and directions to Cowles follow the letter. The Pack will be meeting at the Parking Lot of Chester Elementary on Friday July 11th at 9:30 AM in your swimsuit and Pack 420 T-Shirt and departing at 10:00 AM for Camp Cowles. BRING A SACK LUNCH AND PACK YOUR TOWEL WHERE IT IS READILY AVAILABLE. Swim test for Adults/Scouts will happen immediately upon arrival at around 11:00 AM and then we will setup camp and start the fun. We depart camp around 3:30 PM on Sunday, July 13th. Due to the large number of parents attending, the Pack is not formally arranging rides; please coordinate carpooling independently prior to the start date and call your Den Leader if a problem arises.

DEN LEADERS: Please make sure everyone in your den has a scout tent buddy if not staying with a parent. An adult and a boy may not stay in tents together unless the adult is a parent. Enclosed is a copy of the “What to Bring to Camp” list. Please be sure that your scout is prepared for his summer camp experience. PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE ITEMS LISTED UNDER THE SECTION “Items to leave at home”. If your scout takes medication please read the medication sections of the separately attached camp guide, most scouts have a parent going with them so I will let you decide how you comply with the requested process. The big thing is making sure medication is secure. Parents and family are encouraged and welcome to visit camp at any time. Here are some guidelines:  Except during setup/takedown, only BSA vehicles are permitted beyond the parking lot. Sorry No Pets!  There are no provisions or facilities to allow parents who are not pre-registered or children not registered in our Pack to stay overnight at camp.  Visitors, please be sure to pay for all the meals you eat at the camp Trading Post or business office. In the event of a family emergency please call the Spokane Scout office at 1-800-945-4390 during business hours. During non-business hours call the Washington State Patrol at 509-456-4101. This letter hits the highlights; there are many more small details not included. If you would like to view the entire text of the 2014 Cub Country Parent & Leader Guide it is attached in the email in which you received this letter. You can also download it at http://www.nwscouts.org/, just follow the links for Cub Country at Cowles Scout Reservation. See the Pack Website as well at http://www.pack420.net for more resources. Thank you, Robert Blegen – Pack 420 Camp Coordinator

What to Bring to Summer Camp The list below is provided by the Inland Northwest Council BSA office. Some items have been noted/adjusted based on our Pack's experience with past Cub Scout Camps, and a wise old Scout also added some recommendations at the bottom.

NECESSARY GEAR                           

Pack Sleeping bag (Must be warm enough for 40-50 degree nights, especially if camping in a BSA canvas tent. If you're not sure, bring a blanket also.) Air mattress or foam pad Ground cloth Canteen or plastic Nalgene-style water bottle (REQUIRED) Flashlight (recommended: spare batteries) Scout Handbook Full uniform (check with den leader; red patch vest not needed) Hat Raincoat or poncho Jacket Sweater (or sweatshirt) Several T-shirts (Scout shirts preferred) Shirts Pants Underwear Pajamas Swimsuit* Large towel* Hiking boots Light shoes Personal first aid kit Washcloth Soap/shampoo Toothbrush Toothpaste Comb/hairbrush

Dress Code for Adults: No "short shorts." Swimsuits should be restricted to the shirt and shorts look. No two-piece or Speedo-style bathing suits.

OPTIONAL GEAR                  

Sunscreen lotion (HIGHLY recommended) Insect Repellent (HIGHLY recommended) Pocket knife and sharpening stone (must have earned Whittling Chip) Whittling Chip Spending money for trading post (candy/snacks/hiking sticks/pocket knives/etc.) Cot or tarp for tent floor Pillow Laundry bag Clothes pins (handy for hanging wet socks/towels/swimsuit to dry) Twine or light rope Rubber boots Compass Sunglasses Sewing kit Camera Fishing gear (license if an adult wants to fish) Pre-addressed envelopes & stamps Adults: folding chair recommended

ITEMS TO LEAVE AT HOME           

KIDS PHONES/IPODS etc. Kids will not be allowed to carry or use them at CAMP Pets Radio/tape/CD/MP3 music player Electronic games Sheath knives (non-folding) Firearms (including air-guns) Bows and arrows Hatchets Fireworks Tobacco Alcohol/illegal drugs

WISE OLD SCOUT SUGGESTIONS    

Put your last name on EVERYTHING in permanent ink just in case it is lost/forgotten/mixed up with someone else's Bring some wet wipes and dozen paper towels - both have multiple uses Beach towels are great for waterfront, but they tend to get dirty - add a bath towel if you have room in your pack When packing, save a little room for take-home items you might make or buy at the trading post while you are at camp

IMPORTANT!!

More General Excerpts from the Cub County Guide and our own Pack camping experience. 1. Camping Location  We are scheduled to camp in “Sacheen” – This location has a glimpse of the lake, is large enough to hold the entire pack and is about half way between the Finch Waterfront where we will spend the day and Carbon Lodge where we will eat breakfast and dinner. 2. Camper Security  Scouts unaccompanied by an adult sleep in a tent with other scouts only. Scouts are not allowed to sleep in a tent with an adult unless it is their parent.  If boys need to leave early they need to check out with an adult through the Carbon Lodge.  All registered campers will receive a wristband to identify them as belonging on Camp Cowles.  There are some guidelines that will be covered the first day of camp regarding Boy Scouts “Barrier to Abuse Within Scouting” Basically all activities in groups, two deep leadership etc.. 3. First Aid and Emergencies  The BSA staff requests that all Prescription Medicine be registered and administered at Carbon Lodge. The exceptions are bee allergy (epinephrine) and inhalers which can be carried by the Den Leader or attending parent. The BSA staff needs to know who in our Pack has these allergies.  In the event of an emergency all staff members are connected via radio to respond appropriately. 4. Helpful Hints  If you want to fish with the boys, bring a fishing license for yourself and gear for both of you. Boys do not need a license. Might be good fishing at this early session. Lots of fish so far.  Come with the mindset that adults will be participating interactively to help with the camp. Pack 420 is by far the largest Pack that attends any session so our adults may be put to use.  Bring some money for the trading post. Cub’s like to buy treats, camping stuff and clothing.  Bring insect repellent just in case. Mosquitoes are not bad yet (surprisingly) but they could be.  Showers are available for adults and boys on a schedule. There are multiple shower locations available at camp – our guides will fill you in or the parents that have gone before can show you. 5. Uniforms at Camp  Full Class “A” Uniform must be worn at flag time, breakfast and dinner.  Scouts can wear “B” uniforms (420 T-Shirts, camp shirts) during the day.  If your Scout has some major disaster with their uniform there are some limited laundry facilities at Carbon Lodge where this can be addressed. 6. Advancement at Camp  Dens will be responsible for tracking advancements at camp. In previous years Cub County had a “Passport” designed to record what each boy has accomplished; however leaders should take their own general note of what achievements have occurred. We are supposed to have Staff Camp Guides for our Pack that will assist taking the Dens around the Camp. Webelos need to do the Aquanaut requirement. 7. General Camp Daily Schedule  The schedule for our camp is attached below.  Distances from Carbon Lodge and Finch Waterfront is significant especially for the younger scouts. Make sure your scout brings “closed toed shoes”. They are not allowed to walk around in sandals or flip flops with open toes; too many injuries! 8. Swim Checks  All Scouts and adults who wish to participate in any waterfront activities must complete a swim check and be classified according to their ability. To reach Swimmer the scout must jump in, swim 75 yards (about 150 ft.) with some type of front stroke and then 25 yards (about 75 ft.) with a backstroke, and then rest for about 15 seconds in a floating position. Tell your scouts not to worry, if they do not make swimmer then they just have to wear a life vest to use the boats as long as they are accompanied by a parent who has completed the swim check. Depending on their ability level they will be allowed to swim in the swimmer, beginner, or non-swimmer areas.

How To Get There From Chester Elementary go west on 32nd and head North (toward Sprague) on Dishman Mica. Stay on Dishman Mica as it turns into Argonne and head through Millwood up over the Argonne Hill and turn left onto Bigelow Gulch. Take Bigelow Gulch for almost 4 miles and then turn right onto Freya. At the first round about turn right onto the North Spokane Corridor and travel for about 3.4 miles where you will merge onto US2 North/East. You will be on the Newport Highway 2 for about 30 minutes. About 1 mile past the Highway 211 turn off for Sacheen Lake turn left from Highway 2 onto North Shore road. There will be a sign on the highway that says "Camp Cowles BSA" to assist you. Stay on North Shore road for about 4 miles until you reach the Scout Reservation. You will see multiple entrances for Camp Sunrise etc.. Follow the signs for Cub Country, our initial parking area will be at the Cowles Parking lot for swim tests. After unloading we will park our vehicles at the Camp Fosseen/Carbon Lodge entrance.